Echocardiography

Echocardiography is an ultrasound study of the heart and surrounding structures. The echocardiogram machine utilizes harmless, high-frequency sound waves to construct pictures of the heart (as opposed to radiation as utilized in x-ray studies and CT scans). These high-frequency sound waves are transmitted into the chest with the use of a device that looks very similar to a microphone called a "transducer." The transducer also detects the reflected sound waves as they return after bouncing off tissues within the chest. Using specialized computer algorithms, the machine is able to construct a picture of the heart that may be recorded onto a computer disk and later analyzed for potential abnormalities.

The Helena Cardiology Clinic is the only ICAEL accredited echocardiography laboratory in Helena. We are certified in adult echocardiography, stress echocardiography and are the only lab in the State of Montana certified in transesophageal echocardiography. Dr. Paustian is the only cardiologist in the State of Montana who is board-certified in echocardiography. He has received special recognition from The American Society of Echocardiography in stress echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography.

An echocardiogram study actually consists of three separate components: A) two-dimensional echocardiography which utilizes multiple sound waves transmitted and slightly different directions to generate a picture of a heart. B) Doppler echocardiography which measures the direction and velocity of blood flow through the heart. Knowledge of this blood flow direction and velocity provides information regarding valvular function and also is utilized to detect congenital (birth) abnormalities. A special form of Doppler echocardiography assigns color to direction and velocity of blood flow and results in what is known as "color flow mapping" to better visualize the direction of blood flow. C) M-mode echocardiography which is utilized to detect high-frequency movements of a heart and valvular structures. The information gleaned from these studies is invaluable in the diagnosis and management of heart disease.

The echocardiogram examination is simple and painless. You will be asked to lie on your back or left side as the transducer is passed over your chest to visualize the heart structures. A gel is generally applied to the transducer to avoid the sound waves passing through air as air degrades ultrasound studies. You are awake throughout the entire study and can frequently watch the images as they are obtained. The test requires no special preparation before it is performed.

The Helena Cardiology Clinic is proud to announce that we have two new Toshiba State-of-the-Art Aplio Artida 4-D echocardiography machines for all of our echocardiography studies.

The echocardiogram will be analyzed generally on the same day that it is performed. The results of the study will be conveyed to your physician in a written form usually the following day.

See our Patient Brochure Page.

The material provided at this site is for informational purposes only. It is NOT to be construed as medical advice. Medical advice can only be provided by trained medical personnel following a careful discussion of the problem with the patient, a physical examination and appropriate laboratory studies. You are strongly encouraged to see the physician of your choice to receive such advice as well as to discuss the information available at this site as it may apply to your particular condition. Please DO NOT send e-mail for personal health needs and advice.